Midday Report

The National Party says more meaningful consequences are needed to prevent young people from serious offending.

Yesterday a 14-year-old was arrested on 81 charges, following a string of serious incidents in Christchurch over recent weeks.

National says the Government is taking a soft approach towards young offenders, but the outgoing principal youth court judge, John Walker, says the law demands a focus on rehabilitating, empowering and upskilling young people and their families.

Matt Doocey is the National party's youth and mental health spokesperson.

He spoke to Michael Cropp.

Hundreds of farmers are turning out to meetings about paying for on-farm emissions.

Kim Moodie has the rural news.

Smoke from the fire meant almost half the New Zealand women's Rugby league players lost personal belongings and training gear just 48 hours from their opening World Cup match against France in York.

Stephen Hewson has sport.

The chair of mobile donations company Pushpay hopes its shareholders can see value, as its board recommends a takeover deal seen as cheap by some analysts.

Anan Zaki has business.

The office for the Minister for Children says it is up to Oranga Tamariki to release a review into the Ministry's actions in the lead up to the murder of 5-year-old Malachi Subecz.

Malachi was killed 11 months ago by his caregiver Michaela Barriball, a death which the chief ombudsman said was preventable.

Peter Boshier described Oranga Tamariki's inaction in the leadup to the death as a litany of failures.

Children's Minister Kelvin Davis initially told RNZ he understood the review into the boy's death would be released before the end of the month.

His office said Oranga Tamariki were ensuring all relevant whānau members have had the chance to engage before it's released.

Today, a spokesperson for Oranga Tamariki reiterated it was committed to releasing the report, but that would not happen until the Ministry has completed engaging with Malachi's whanau.

The lawyer for Grace Millane's killer has told the Court of Appeal in Auckland that two other women felt driven to be her voice in separate trials which resulted in further convictions.

Jesse Kempson is appearing via video link in court today in a bid to appeal his convictions and sentences relating to two women he attacked and violated.

RNZ's reporter, Amy Williams is in court and spoke to Michael Cropp

A large police cordon is still in place in Riccarton, Christchurch, after a person died shortly before 4 o'clock this morning on Matipo Street.

The police are treating it as an unexplained death.

RNZ's Christchurch reporter, Niva Chittock, spoke to Michael Cropp from the scene.

How long is too long to wait to talk to a company's customer service centre?

Consumer NZ recently found wait times for 21 companies across internet, banks, post, and transport sectors ranged from a 15 seconds, to about an hour.

Consumer NZ's head of content, Caitlin Cherry, spoke to Michael Cropp.

Seven Christchurch vape stores have been caught selling their products to 16-year-olds.

They were caught during a controlled purchase operation on 39 retailers in August and October.

Vapes can only be sold to those aged over 18, but seven stores did not check for ID, and have been fined.

Michael Cropp spoke to Waitaha Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Cheryl Brunton.

Weeks of record-breaking rainfall in Hawke's Bay is causing havoc for farmers.

Kim Moodie has the rural news.